Pocket folding toothbrush



" sept. 24, 1940. F. Smm '2,216,026

Filed NOV. 25, 1938- Il Y ` |vENToR Flore/:ce 5mdk..

. ATTORNEY l Patented Sept. 24, 1940 UNITED .STATES PATENT ,o1-FICE azlauzs rocxar somme 'roornnnusn moronoe smith. Long Island city, N. y. Appnoauon November z5, 193s, sel-iol No, 242,133

z claims (c1. 15144 This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a pocket folding toothbrush.

The invention has for an object the construction or a toothbrush which may be folded and then carried in a small c'ase for convenient carryinginones pocket or pocketbook.`

More the invention proposes to characterize the toothbrush by a' handle portion and a bristle portion, and an arrangement whereby the handle portion is composed of a pair of sections in end alignment with each other anda novel arrangement for holding the sections in this position and for permitting the sections to'be folded.' v

Still further the invention Yproposes that one of the sections be provided with a pair of projecting spaced lugs formed with lateral offset parts having horizontal opposed grooves continuing into vertical grooves, and that the otherv of the sectionsbe provided with a trunnion engaging said vertical grooves in a particular manner.

Furthermore, it is proposed to provide springs mounted on the adjacent inner faces of the lugs and having inwardly directed prongs engageable with niches formed in the other of the sections in a'particular manner.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompming drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention aremore particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part olf this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a pocket folding toothbrush constructed according to this invention. f

Fig. 2 is an edge elevational view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the toothbrush folded. s.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlargedv sectional view taken on the line l-l of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 isa perspective view of the lower end of the top section of the handle.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the upper end of the lower section of the handle.-

Fig. 'I is a perspective view of a carrying case for the toothbrush.

The vpocket folding toothbrush, according to this invention, includes a handle portion III and a'bristle portion II. The handle portion is composed of a pair of sections Il and III" in end alignment with each other. One of these sections, namely, the outer section I0, is formed 55 with a pair of projecting spaced lugs I2 each having a lateral onset part I2 Horizontal grooves I3 are 'formed on the opposed faces of these lateral oifset parts and continue into ver.- tical grooves I3a formed `in the lugs I2. Springs I4 are mounted on the inner faces of the lugs` I2 5 and have inwardly directed prongs I5. The material of the section II)b across the bases of the lugs I2, is provided Awith a. concaved portionIS. The springs Il have theirlower ends embedded into the material of the section IIlb. The upper 10 ends of these springs extend along within recesses I1 formed in the adjacent faces of the lugs I2. The prongs I5 project out from'the rcesses I1.

'I'he section IIIIL is provided with a trunnion I8. 15 The elements of this trunnion, as illustrated in Figs. 1,2 and 4,' engage the vertical grooves I3, Below the trunnion elements I8 there are niches I9 formed in the sides of the section IIIb.- T hese niches I9 receive the prongs I5 of the springs Il. 20 'I'he lower end In of the section III'I is curved andsnugly engages the concaved portion I6. The sections III and I0 are endwise separable against the holding action of the prongs I5 and then the trunnion I8 may be moved into the horizontal grooves I3 for' adapting the sections .to be relativelyl folded.

In Fig. 3 the toothbrush is shown in its folded condition. In this condition it may be stored away within a small case 20 illustrated in Fig. 7. This case may be made'of Celluloid material or other sheet material. The case 2l is provided with a cover 2| which is hingedly mounted at 22 and which `may be opened and closed. The case 20 is also provided with a plurality of perforations 23 for ventilation purposes. j

The toothbrush may -be opened from the closed position shown in Fig. 3 b y rst pivoting upwards, the handle section III. When the handle section reaches the vertical position it must be forced backwards so that the trunnion I8 moves to the rear end s of the grooves I3 an'd then it must be forced downwards so that the trunnion IB moves down into the grooves I3. While this is taking place the prongs I5 snap into the niches I9 and the curved end IIIim engages into the concaved portion I6. The handle sections are now firmly held in their end aligned positions.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed andthe right is reserved to al1 changes and modiiications coming within the scope of the invention as dened inthe appended claims. V

, Havingthus described my invention,'what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is: A

1'. In a folding toothbrush, an elongated handle formed of separate sections, a pair of parallel adjacent lugs formed on the end of one of said sections and each of said lugs being formed with a groove on its inner face, outwardly extending trunnion elements mounted on the other of said sections and engaging said grooves to permit said section having 4said trunnion elements to be moved longitudinally and pivoted with relation to said section having said lugs, said section havving said trunnion elements being formed with inwardly extending niches on the sides thereof at a point between said trunnion elements and the end of said section, springs mounted on the formed of separate sections, a pair of parallel ad-l jacent lugs formed on the end of one Ao! said sections and each 'of said lugs being formed with a groove on its inner face, outwardly extending trunnion elements mounted on the other of said sections and engaging said grooves to permit said section having said trlmnion elements to be moved longitudinally and pivoted with relation to said 'section having said lugs, said section having said trunnion elements being formed with inwardly extending niches on the sides thereof at a point between said trimnion elements and the end of said section, springs mounted on the inner faces of said lugs, prongs formed on said springs and engageable with said niches when said trunnion elements are located within the inner ends of said grooves for limiting said sections against longitudinal movement or pivoting, and means upon the adjacent ends of said sections for assisting said prongs andniches in holding said other of said sections when said trunnion' elements are positioned within the inner ends of said grooves.

FLORENCE SMITH. 

